Schering-Plough and PTC Therapeutics Announce Collaboration for Development of PTC's Preclinical Hepatitis Compounds

Schering-Plough Corporation (SP) and PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (PTC) today announced that they have entered into an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement for the development of PTC's preclinical compounds for the oral treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and other viral diseases. Following is the text of the joint release:

PTC's small molecules are designed to inhibit the HCV Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) mediated production of viral proteins. The IRES is highly conserved among all HCV genotypes and is required for the expression of all viral proteins involved in replication of the hepatitis C virus. PTC identified the compounds in its HCV program through the company's proprietary Gene Expression Modulation by Small-molecules (GEMS) technology.

"The goal of this alliance is to develop new oral therapies to improve treatment for patients with hepatitis C, one of the most serious and common blood borne infections in the world," said Catherine D. Strader, Ph.D., executive vice president, discovery research, Schering-Plough Research Institute. "Schering-Plough is continuing its leadership in hepatitis C through internal research programs and strategic collaborations with innovative companies such as PTC, with a focus on developing targeted viral inhibitors," she said.

"We are delighted to enter into this collaboration with Schering-Plough, as our teams share a commitment to develop new HCV therapies that will benefit patients," said Stuart Peltz, president & CEO of PTC Therapeutics. "Schering-Plough's expertise in the research and development of antiviral therapies and its global hepatitis franchise affords PTC the opportunity to realize the full potential of our IRES inhibitors. This collaboration provides additional validation for the GEMS technology and nicely complements our strategy as we advance internally the development of our clinical programs."

Under the terms of the agreement, PTC and Schering-Plough will conduct a joint research program, and Schering-Plough will be responsible for development and commercialization efforts worldwide. Schering-Plough will make an upfront payment to PTC of $12 million and provide funding for PTC's research efforts. Additionally, PTC can earn milestone payments if specific development, regulatory and commercial goals are achieved.

Total payments to PTC could exceed $200 million. Schering-Plough will receive exclusive worldwide commercialization rights for any approved products and pay PTC royalties on worldwide net sales.

03/21/06

Source
Schering-Plough. Schering-Plough and PTC Therapeutics Announce Collaboration for Development of PTC's Preclinical Hepatitis Compounds. Press Release. March 20, 2006.